TYPES OF LEGAL SKILLS

Reading skills

Interviewing Skills

Writing Skills

Shows professionalism

Drafting court documents

Communication/covering letters

Advice to clients/other parties

Represents the firm/company/department

Legal opinion writing

Argumentation Skills

Apply the
relevant law

To the context of
the case at hand

Acceptable
conclusion

Main topic

General Transferable Skills

Communication

Problem solving

Teamwork

Autonomy and personal skills

Information technology

Numeracy

Intellectual skills

Communication & People Skills

Listening Skills

Outlining Skills

Litigation & Advocacy Skills

Why?

Identify the relevant facts

Inter-relations

Interpret and understand

Act of Parliament

Long/Short Title

Preamble

Definitions

Sections/Sub-sections

Illustrations

Latin Terms/Legal Maxims

Memorising/Familiarising

Understand the contexts

Court Case

•Case name
•Year
•Law report
•Court level + judge(s)’ name
•Summary of facts + judgment
•Ratio decidendi + obiter dicta

Why?

Lawyer-client relationship

Get full facts of the case, identify the issues, advise accordingly

Communication with other parties(opponent, police witnesses)

Preparing for the interview

Know what information is required

Identify the relevant facts-ask open ended questions, snowball effects

Bear in mind the applicable laws + elements of law

Consider potential questions/remarks by opposing lawyer

After the interview

Record all details, make sure to keep proper records

Research on the applicable laws + verify to confirm

Link with opinion writing + argumentation skills

Verbal

Written

Sign language

Sound

Non- Verbal

Unwritten, unspoken

Facial, body language

Eye contact

Tone of voice

E.g. returning calls/messages
promptly, punctuality,
quality of work

Why?

•Good listener =
commitment +
interest
•Maintain objectivity
= receptive of new
ideas
•Consultation
•Court appearance
•Deal with other
parties

Look for the facts

•Be attentive
•Analyse based on
facts + elements of
law
•Separate the
relevant facts from
mere opinion

Look for expressions/emotions

•"Res ipsa loquitor"
•Reflect on the
context of that
person

How?

•Listen more than
you speak
•Let the person use
their own
terminologies
•Do not offer advice
unless asked for it

Pre-trial

1.Preparation
2.Do research
(legal and facts)
3.Communicate
with client
4.In the loop
with the court

Trial

1.Case
management
2.Triable?
Proceed to trial
3. Exam-in-chief
4.Cross-exam
5.Re-exam

Post-trial

-Trial-Satisfied? File
the court order
-Not satisfied?
Appeal @
Review

Why?

• Interconnectivity between the relevant facts + elements of law
• Keeps you motivated and on track all step of the way

What?

• Legal assignments
• Case briefs
• Opinions to clients
• Pleading drafts

How?

• Sequential / chronological
• Deductive reasoning vs inductive reasoning

Journal article

•Title + year
•Author(s) is authoritative?
•Facts @ opinion?
•Cited by others?

Online content

•TLDs = .gov, .edu, .com, .biz

Official report

•Land search, company search, OA search, etc.